1916-12-15 — Page 5

THE WAR.

THE

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15TH,

PEACE PROPOSALS:

UNIVERSAL OONDEMNATION.

MORE FRIGHTFULNESS”

THREATENED.

RUSSO-ROUMANIAN FRONT INTACT:, SERIOUS STAND IMPENDING.

....

ENORMOUS GERMAN LOSSES IN THE WAR.

Franco-Belgian Front.

LATEST CABLES. [THBOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

BRITISH

FRONT.

THEMY PATROLS DRIVEN OFF.

LONDON, December 19th.

General Bir Douglas Haig, in a com muniqué, says: -Enemy patrols, endea vouring to enter our trenches to the east of Arimentiorcs, were driven off.

We bombarded trenches in the neigh bourhood of Festubert, Neuve Chopello and Ypres.

FRENCH FRONT.

ENEMY MINE WORKS DESTROYED,

PARIS, December 14th.

An official communiqué stries:-There has been vigorous ouemy artillery fire in tho Bitches, La Maisonette, and Barloux sectors.

A coup-de-main against a salient north of Four-de-Paris, in Argonne, enabled us to destroy enemy mine works and capture prisoners,

HEAVY SNOWFALL.

LONDON, December 14th. Reuter's Correspondent at Headquar has ters in France reports that snow begun to fall heavily and is melting, thereby increasing the difficulty of opera dions.

EARLIER CABLES,

COMPARATIVE CALM.

ON WHOLE WESTERN FRONT.

Deseniber 13th. A French communiqué reports com- parative calm on the whole of the Western front.

The Balkans.

LATEST UABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] RUSSO-ROUMANIAN FRONT

UNBROKEN.

SERIOUS STAND EXPECTED.

LONDON, December 14th It appears that the Roumanians and Russiang have still an unbroken line and that they have made effective local rallies for the purpose of checking pursuit, but General Mackensen's armies are pressing on the vanguard 70 miles From Galatz Braila and the river Sereth, where the Russo-Roumanians are expected to make n serious stand to bar the road to Moldavia.

VENEZELIST TROOPS LAND AT SERMOPOLIS. WILL ANNEX CYCLADES.

LONDON, December 14th. Venezelist troops have landed at Sermo- polis and have annexed the island of Byrus. The remainder of the Cyclados will shortly be annexed;

BARLIER CABLES. LIVELY FIGHTING NEAR MONASTIE.

ITALIANS REPULSE

BULGARIANS.

LONDON, December 19th.

A French communiqué states that there has been violent artillery firing as well as lively fighting to the north of Monastir.

The Italians repulsed a Bulgarian

counter-attack

GREEK CRISIS. ADMIRAL DE FOURNET SUPERSEDED.

PARIS, December 13th, Admiral Gauchet replaces Admiral De Fournet in the command of the Allied naval forces in Creek waters,

RUSSO - ROUMANIAN OPERATIONS.

RUSSIAN SUCCESS.

LONDON, December 13th. A Russian communiqué says:-South of the river Trotus, in Moldavia, we cap- tured a line of trenchies and repulsed counter-attacks with great losses to the enemy, who is stubbornly resisting our advance.

ROUMANIANS FALL BACK.. In North Dorna Vatra the Roumanians took the offensive on the high road between Mizil and Buzau, but were obliged to fall back.

At present the Roumanian Army occu- pies & front extending Buzau-Saringa

Frzitecni.

Naval Activities, 、

LATEST CABLES, (THROUGH BLUTEL'S AGENCY.] MINES IN ATLANTIC.

OIL-TANKER IN FLAMES.

FERNGLE, December 14th,

A Dutch steamer reports having passed an oil-tanker in flames, and to having seen four floating mines in the Atlantic. EARLIER CABLES.

REPORTED SUNKEN

STEAMERS.

ARRIVE IN PORT.

LONDON, December 13th, The British steamer Tanfield and the Belgian steamer Keltier, previously re- ported sunk, have arrived in port.

MORE SINKINGS.

The Norwegian steamer Agder, the Danish boat Inger, a Swedish schooner and a Danish barque have been sunk. CAPTURED BRITISH SKIPPER, A TIMES SUGGESTION.

LONDON, December 13th. The Times says that Great Britain should inmediately intimate to Germany that if an attempt is made to harn Captain Blaikie, of the Caledonia, a Gor~' an offer prisoner of the highest rank will be treated similarly, General.

NEUTRALS AND THE PEACE GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS.

OFFER

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FOR GERMAN CHANCELLOR

FREEZING RECEPTION,

LONDON, December 13th. Germany's peace proposals are onanim- ously and emphatically repudiated by the whole British Press

LONDON, December 14th. The world wide comments already show that profound disappointment is await ing Dr, von Bothmann-Hollweg: if he

The Aforning Post describes them as “a imagined that his peace offer would. impress neutrals. It is already manifestunning and desperate attempt to fore- that the only result of the speech has stall the penalty of military failure." It hoen to bring the Entente Powers closer also says that it is a proposal, not of together. Everywhere the offer is co-peace, but of an armistion, which the Allies are bound to decline, as they did demned as a mere political manœuvre,

the German request last September after | GREATER FRIGHTFULNESS,

the defeats on the Somme and at Verdun. The Times says it is a symptom of Ger- many's conscious weakness that she has

EXPECTED.

It is anticipated in Holland that the Allies rejection of the offer will be used as an excuse for greater frightfulness.most lamentably failed to induce the German agents are already disseminating United States to offer mediation, and rumours in Holland that there are 400 now she falls back submarines ready to blockade Britain, Dutch ship are only allowed to pass under German escort.

GERM-LADEN BOMBS, Germ-laden bombs are to be scattered: on London, and new and deadlier iuven- tions generally employed. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER.

PETROGRAD, December 14th. M. Pokrowski, Comptroller of the Empire, has been appointed Foreign Minister.

THE FRENCH CHAMBER, VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN NEW GOVERNMENT.

PARIS, December 14th.

on an indirect offer to the belligerents. The Allies must re- fuse to oven talk about an armistios until the occupied territories are restored and compensated..

The Daily Chronicle comments that Germany can have peace any day on our

terms.

The Daily Telegraph says that Germany. has reached the zenith of her power and is on the crest of the wave before the in- evitable descent.

The Daily News states that the Allies cannot enter into peace negotiations on tho basis offered by Dr. von Bethmann- Hollwng,

The Daily Mail says that Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg in no more entitled to

CONTEMPTIBLE.”

1916.

OTHER VERSIONS.

WASHINGTON, December 13th. Germany proposes complete restoration of the occupied portions of Belgium and France and also the return of Germany's colonies, with a settlement of the Balkan eituation by a Peace Conference.

RUMOURED DISPUTE BETWEEN KAISER AND EMPEROR.

AMSTERDAM, December 13th. The peace proposals are regarded hers as an admission that the confidence of the Central Powers is shaken, and this is connected with rumours of a grave dis pute between the Kaiser and the Austrian Emperor.

COLLAPSE OF GERMAN CHANCELLOR.

AT CLOSE OF HIS SPEECH,

LONDON, December 13th,

A Datch correspondent present in the Reichstag says that Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg, at the conclusion of his speech, sank into his chair completely overcomo

und scarcely

ings.

GERMAN LOSSES IN THE WAR, TOTAL OF NEARLY FOUR MILLIONS..

LONDON, December 13th. The Germans casualties are officially reported for November as totalling 166,176, of which 28,720 were killed.

These make Germany's total casualties during the war 3,921,869, of which 889,957 were killed..

RESIDENT GENERAL OF MOROCCO.

PARIS, December 13th. General Gouraud has been appointed Resident General of Morocco.

IRISH PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT. DECLARATION OF ATTITUDE.

LONDON, December 18th.

The Irish Party have resolved to await the declaration of the Government's Irish policy before deciding on its attitude towards the Government. They havo also declared in favour of a vigorous prosecu” scious of his surround-tion of the war, te demanded Home Rule, the abolition of martial law in Ireland, and re-affirmed hostility to conscription. DESTRUCTIVE CANADIAN

The Chamber was most, excited, and the whole city is in a state of feverish tension: There were unprecedented crowds outside. the Reichstag,

A COWARDLY THREAT.

A TYPICAL HUNNISH PROPOSAL.

LONDON, December 13th

The Daily Telegraph learns from an animpeachable source, that Germany invited Belgium to insist on an immediato peace, in return for a guarantee of her independence, financial assistance and rehabilitation.

FIRE.

QUAKER OATS FACTORY.

OTTAWA, December 12th.

Four persons have been killed, fifteen injured, and twelve missing by a fire which occurred at the Quaker Oats factory at Peterboro, Ontario. Damage to the extent of £300,000 sterling has been done.

FRANCE'S CONVICTION. CERTAINTY OF VICTORY,

PARIS, December 12th

In the event of a refusal, Belgium was PARIS, December 13th. The papers agree that the peace pro-informed that the existence of her monu

mente, public buildings and even her posals are contemptible, and are a new manoeuvre with the object of dividing the towns would be threatened. Allies and influencing opinion in GerTHE PREMIER'S CONDITION.said: Without exaggerated optimismo

In view many and neutral countries. Germany's habit of proparing aggressions under the cover of negotiations, it be

By 314 votes to 163 the Chamber adopted a vote of confidence in the new Govern-a reply than a burglar in a private house. ment, enjoining them to vigorously prosecute the war, after a speech by M. Briand, wherein he described Germany's peace proposals as a clumsy snare macant to divide the Allies and disturb and The Allies demoralise their peoples, would return a definite, concerted reply, but he was at present justified in saying that France would not do less than the Revolutionary Convention did in similar eircumstances. I would be mest enves the Allies to beware. pable," continned M. Briand," it. I did not warn the country to be careful in face of an enemy who mobilised his whole civilian population, working at white heat to increase armaments, and forcing the inhabitants of invaded territories to He denounced labour on his behalf." Bethmann-Hollweg's offer to France.

ANOTHER MILLION MEN. A FIVE-MILLION ARMY.

LONDON, December 14th. A Supplementary Estimate provides for an additional million men for the Army, making a total of five millions. RE-ELECTION OF MINISTERS. PROVISIONALLY DISPENSED

WITH.

LONDON, December 14th.

A Bill has been introduced to-day provisionally dispensing with the neces kity for re-election of Ministers.

AUSTRALIAN COMMENT. "GERMAN PEACE BLUFF."

MELBOURNE, December 14th.

unanimously The Australian Press denounces the offer as German Peace

bluff.

Premier Hughes, in a speech, said that peace was impossible which did not pro- LATEST CABLES.

vide for the evacuation of Allied terri- to victima and (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOY.]

tory, compensation

of the perpetrators AND THE PEACE punishment

NOTE.

outrages.

MERELY AN AGENT OF TRANS- MISSION.

AMERICA

WASHINGTON, December 14th. President Wilson has cancelled his engagements and conferred with Colonel House, his former Emissary to Europe. It is understood that the United States Government will merely act as agent for

OBITUARY.

of

J. W. COMYNS CARR.

LONDON, December 14th. The death of Mr. J. W. Comyns Carr, the well-known critic and dramatist, is Ennounced..

TOREDOOMED TO FAILURE.”

LONDON,December 13th. Reuter learns that there will be prob- pronouncement ably no official British

M. Briand, in the Chambor of Deputies, outlined the reorganisation of the Wor Committee with extended powers, and

we more than ever entertain the convic PRESIDES OVER WAR CABINET..

tion of the certainty of victory. It is LONDON, December 13th. true that raliant Roumania has been Mr. Lloyd George presided over the compelled to give way That is a sad War Cabinet. He is still suffering from business: but her Army, supported by the chill, his voice being particularly affect-Russian: Armies, will recover, for the ed. He has been ordered complete rest Eastern Question is far from settled, and to-morrow a new front will be mobilised for a day or two

He foreshadowed on the enemy front.". the suppression of spirits in France. Referring to Bethmann-Hollweg's speech ho said: It is my duty to put the country's mind on guard against possible poisoning. (Loud cheers),

on the German pence proposals until the THE CAPTURE OF MONASTIR. Allies have been consulted.

Menwhile, the unanimity of the Press reflects the unanimity of the Governments sad peoples of the Allies.

If the proposals are based, as is shrewd ly suspected, on a German pose as victors, they are foredoomed to failure.

ROYAL CONGRATULATIONS TO SERBIAN COMMANDER.

LONDON, December 13th.

It is officially announced that the King, on the occasion of the capture of Moans tir, cordially congratulated the Serbian Commander and his valiant Army, who were struggling shoulder to shoulder with the Allies.

The Czar, in the course of a similar

FRENCH HIGH COMMAND. RUMOURED SUPERSESSION OF GENERAL JOFFRE,

Lognon, December 12th. There are rumours of pending changes in the French High Command, including the supersession of General Joffre, who will be given the rank of Marshal, with the presidency of the Allied War Board. General Nivelle, captor of Dongaront, aged 60, who was a Colonel at the out- break of war, will become Generalismo,

The offer is regarded as a cunning at tempt to now dissension among the Allies, by proposing terms agreeable to gee and unacceptable to others.

There also strong evidence of Germessage, said he was persuaded their com man knowledge that they can never win mon efforts would be crowned with coun

plete victory, assuring Serbia of free the wars.

und that they have almost run:

devolopment of her political life and the their course.

realisation of her national aspiratione. There may still be periods of strain and stress, but no reply is possible except FRENCH MILITARY CHANGES. General Castelnau, Chief of General

18

that the war can only end when the objects of the Allies have been achieved.

AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE.

NEW YORK, December 13th. The papers agree that the German effer a piece of political chicanory, with the object of bolstering up Germany's cause at home and abroad. "Germany official- ly admits that the war is a failure, and that Germany cannot dominate Europe." The New York Time: points out that Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg did not men- tion the Allied declarations regarding the destruction of Prussian militarism, and recarks that this omission is significant and also fatal..

ALLEGED PEACE TERMS.

NEW YORK, December 13th: evening papers publish number of alleged German terms, none transmitting the German Peace Note to REVICTUALLING SUBMARINES from official sources. The statements

the Entente Powers. RESIGNATION OF AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT.

AMSTERDAM, December 14th.

A Vienna telegram says:-The Austrian Government has resigned. M. Alexander Spitimueller is forming a Cabinet.

EARLIER CABLES.

The

SPANISH PROHIBITION.

THE WESTERN FRONT.

PARIS, December 13th,

Joffro's Staff, is also retiring. M. Paiu live will become War Minister in succes It is officially announced that General sion to Mr. Roques, who presumably will Nivelle bas been appointed Commander-be given a command in the field.- in-Chief of the armies in the north and north-east.

GENERAL JOFFRE'S POSITIÓN. PARIS, December 13th. General Joffre has been appoint Generalissive at home and abroad, while General Nivelle has been Generalissimo on the Western front. THE FRENCH CABINET. COMPOSITION OF WAR

COMMITTEE,

appointed

PARIS, December 13th. The new Cabinet numbers too members, while a War Committee has been a pointed, comprising M. Briand, Premier; M. Ribot, Minister of Finance; General Lyautey, Minister of War; M. Lacaze,

LORD BERESFORD'S DEMAND FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE, Admiral Lord Beresford, speaking at Edinburgh last month, said the Ad- miralty ought to give more despatches. Thay ought to let the public know more. They ought to know what their destroyers did, what their submarines did, and what their splendid mercantile marine did, and it would be a good thing: for tho If the enemy to know a little more. Government had allowed the Navy to carry on its business in its own way and cstablish a proper baval blockade, the war would have been over in eighteen. months. They could have established such a blockade by International law. He thought it was wise to be critical, They wanted to help the Government be- cause they were all asleep. (Laughter frained from criticism because they did and cheers) Up till now they had re- not want to hamper the Government, but

if the Government went on the way it of them to tell the people what the Government were really doing. He was anxious about the enemy's submarine tell the enemy that they would have to campaign, and Edvocated that we should pay one ship or two for every one sunk it they went on with their campaign, and, if food be, we would take their whole mercantile marine. (Loud cheers.)

include the retention of Serbia by Minister of Marino; and M. Thomas, was going it would be the duty of some Austria-Hungary, Constantinople by Minister of Munitions MADRID, December 13th. A Bill has been introduced into the Turkey, the restoration to Bulgaria of Chamber prohibiting the revictualling all the territory she lost in the second of belligerent submarines outside terri-Balkan War, and the restoration to torial waters. Drastic penalties are pro-Austria of all the territory captured by

Italy

vided.

General Joffre, se Generalissimo, will attend the Committee as technical mili- tary adviser, while technical directors will be appointed in regard to mines

and merchant shipping.